Every child is born an artist. How can we learn how to see like a child?
1. Every child is born an artist
First of all, embrace a lower perspective. A child sees the world from floor level. They are generally looking down on the ground, or looking up. They look forward to “growing up” and doing things that they generally are not able to do (as a child). Therefore, every child (artist) is ambitious, and excited for the future.
2. Look for color and texture
Generally when I’m shooting on the streets, the two things I try to look for include color and texture.
Color— color combinations. Warm vs cool tones.
Texture— old things. Decay. Growth. Roughness.
3. Stare
To see like an artist (child) is to stare.
No, it isn’t rude to stare. As children we stare all the time… but as we get older, we get our visual curiosity beaten out of us. We are DISCOURAGED from staring.
To see like an artist, spend more time to let your eyes linger… on whatever you find interesting in the world.
Stare at people. Stare at trash on the ground. When you enter an establishment with nice architecture and details, take a moment and stare, observe, and DECONSTRUCT what it is exactly you find interesting about it.
4. Trace
To see like an artist, trace more.
Trace with transparent paper. Trace with your fingers. Or use an iPad with the Procreate app and trace whatever things interest you. I’ve been tracing great works of art from Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci and the other great masters, to better understand how they saw the world… and also for me to better build my visual acuity and curiosity of the world.
5. Look up
I’m still so surprised as adults, we never look up. Especially if we’re in a big city, there are so many great architectural monuments we can look up at, and gasp in awe.
As of late, I’ve been shooting more pictures of architecture. Why? The power of human ingenuity and cooperation to create such massive structures inspires me, and gives me hope in development, progress, and the future.
6. Optimism
To see the world like an artist is to praise everything you see. Rather than seeing the sad and depressive— to find hope, encouragement, joy, and optimism for the future.
The true artist loves life, and affirms his or her love for life through their artwork.
7. Take your play very seriously
Above all, follow your curiosity. And like a child, take your play very seriously.
CREATE, WONDER, AND PLAY— every day!
ERIC
NEW BOOK: Eternal Return to Creative Everyday >